Happy 89th, Culver City!

By the time you get this, Culver City will be 89 years old … and still in a “flourishing” mode! That’s a lot of candles. Just another reason the city seems to be shining these days!

The exact date that the incorporation papers were recorded was September 20, 1917. And if you want to see if Harry Culver’s vision became reality, just stop by the bronze sculpture in front of the Culver Hotel and read his 1913 speech (on the inside of his newspaper).

And speaking of the sculpture, did you see the photo of “A Moment in Time” in the LA Times recently? It was great to see that Harry Culver and his family “with company” reading on the bronze bench next to Harry! And very nice to get some well-deserved national coverage.

INCE FAMILY ATTENDS PICNIC
With family still in mind, I just want to mention how nice it was for the Society to have Thomas Ince’s granddaughter, Susan Ince Bice, attend our annual picnic. Susan and her husband Dick Bice came all the way from Yucaipa just for the day. They have been very supportive, and I cannot thank them enough for helping us to learn more about the founder of our first two – and only standing – studios in CC. (More on that to come!)

CITY’S HISTORY CONTINUES TO INTEREST THE PUBLIC
I am continually amazed and pleased to see the interest in local history. One of the latest requests came from the San Francisco area, asking for information on the Rollerdrome, a happy memory of youth from a former southlander.

A production company, taping a television show at La Cienega and Washington Blvds., called to get some information on the King’s Tropical Inn restaurant which was once a famed fixture at that site. With our help and that of the Cultural Affairs Department, they are using photos and short sound-bites to enhance the show. They’ve promised us a DVD copy for our archives after the show airs.

Still another call came from a writer who is doing an article on downtown Culver City for the L.A. Times’ West magazine. Interest in our city seems to be growing exponentially and our rich history only enhances their story. Just one more reason we need to get our archives up and running again!

Fiesta Thanks: to Robin Turner and Steve Rose who “walked the walk” with me on our Downtown Culver City historic walking tour during this year’s Fiesta La Ballona. We took a group of 25 interested folks, and made it back in time to enjoy the concert. Sharing the tour process with talented colleagues who offer varied areas of expertise is indeed an optimum experience!!!

Archives and Resource Center (ARC) hours

Located in the Veterans Memorial Building at 4117 Overland Avenue, the Culver City Historical Society Archives & Resource Center (ARC) is open the 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month from 1:00p to 3:00p and by appointment. Please enter through the parking lot at the rear of the building.